“Brazen scheme” largest COVID-19 funding fraud yet uncovered.
Federal prosecutors with the Department of Justice (DOJ) have indicted 47 people linked to the Minnesota nonprofit organization Feeding Our Future. They are accused of stealing $250 million in federal aid meant to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The defendants allegedly accepted bribes from local restaurant owners to run fake food distribution sites, creating dozens of shell companies to distribute the funds. Participants then purportedly used the funds to purchase luxury cars, real estate, and jewelry for themselves.
“This was a brazen scheme of staggering proportions,” stated U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger for the District of Minnesota. “These defendants exploited a program designed to provide nutritious food to needy children during the COVID-19 pandemic.” This is the largest case of fraud thus far that took advantage of federal pandemic funding.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the Justice Department prosecutors as they prepare and argue the case against those who have committed fraud.
- For U.S. officials as they investigate possible scams that have defrauded the government and taxpayers.
Sources: AP, Reuters
